Campaigning against the detention of children

Women for Refugee Women is partnering with the New Statesman magazine to campaign against the detention of children in the asylum process. Read Jasmine's story: "As the weeks went by I was asking myself, are we going to stay in here for the rest of our lives? I was sitting in those rooms all day with no proper air to breathe." www.newstatesman.com

Women for Refugee Women works to raise awareness of the injustices experienced by women who seek refuge in the UK. Women who come to the UK fleeing gender-related persecution (such as rape, honour crimes, female genital mutilation, and trafficking for forced prostitution) are too often turned down for asylum.

If women are turned down for asylum they are at risk of destitution, detention, and deportation to places where their lives may be at risk. We work in partnership with other organisations to increase understanding of the experiences of women who seek asylum in the UK. We work through briefing journalists, organising events, lobbying policy-makers, and above all by providing a platform for asylum seekers to speak out for themselves about the injustices they experience. These women deserve to be heard.

WAST

Women Asylum Seekers Together (WAST), London, is a self-support group set up and run by women seeking asylum and for women seeking asylum in the UK. Women from any country and in any stage of the asylum system, including failed asylum seekers, are welcome. At WAST we create a safe space where women seeking asylum can support each other and share information and advice. WAST meets once a month. More information about Women Asylum Seekers Together (WAST)

Motherland

In March 2008 Women for Refugee Women produced Motherland, a uniquely moving and powerful evening, at the Young Vic. Actors including Juliet Stevenson and Harriet Walter told the stories of children and mothers in detention at Yarls Wood, and asylum seekers includingTrude Ndagire and Marjorie Nshemere spoke to the audience about their experiences of seeking asylum in the UK. Read the Motherland press coverage